The Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) Program is authorized under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 2002 (42 U.S.C. 3796ee et esq). As envisioned by Congress, the goal of the JABG program is to reduce juvenile offending through supporting accountability-based programs that focus on offenders and state and local juvenile justice systems. The basic premise underlying the JABG program is that both the juvenile offender and the juvenile justice system must be held accountable. In implementing the program, OJJDP seeks to reduce juvenile offending through both offender-focused and system-focused activities that promote accountability. For the juvenile offender, accountability means an assurance of facing individualized consequences through which he or she is made aware of and held responsible for the loss, damage, or injury that the victim experiences. Such accountability is best achieved through a system of graduated sanctions imposed according to the nature and severity of the offense, moving from limited interventions to more restrictive actions if the offender continues delinquent activities. For the juvenile justice system, strengthening the system requires an increased capacity to develop youth competence, to efficiently track juveniles through the system, and to provide enhanced options such as restitution, community service, victim-offender mediation, and other restorative justice sanctions that reinforce the mutual obligations of an accountability-based juvenile justice system.

Only the agency designated by the chief executive (i.e., the Governor) of each state is eligible to apply for these funds. The term "state" means any state of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. You may contact your Juvenile Justice Specialist for more information.

Training and Technical Assistance is available through several providers. The National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC) leverages linkages with consultants, trainers and resources to provide telephonic or onsite training and technical assistance. States may fill out a TA request form at www.nttac.org and forward it to the appropriate OJJDP state representative to arrange training and technical assistance. States can also call NTTAC toll free at 800-830-4031.

Training and technical assistance support is also available from CSR Incorporated, which manages the JABG performance measurement process for OJJDP. CSR manages the Data Collection and Technical Assistance Tool (DCTAT) that OJJDP encourages states to use to submit their JABG performance measurement data. CSR staff also provide training and support regarding the selection and use of the JABG performance measures, as well as navigating the DCTAT. Print documents are available on the DCTAT Web site. You may also e-mail ojjdp-dctat@csrincorporated.com or call 1-866-487-0512 for further support.

OJJDP has established the JABG Technical Support Center with assistance from the Bureau of Justice Statistics and a grant to the Justice Research and Statistics Association (JRSA) to provide states with the data they need to calculate JABG allocations to local jurisdictions. JRSA combines information from the UCR Part 1 violent crimes with data on local justice expenditures (direct operating expenditures for police, corrections, and judicial and legal services) that the Census Bureau collects from local units of government. JRSA matches the FBI's crime data from police departments with the Census Bureau's justice expenditure data from local governments, resolves and discrepancies, and provides the results in a series of spreadsheets for each state. States can log onto a password-protected part of the online JABG Technical Super Center at www.jrsa.org/jabg to obtain allocation amounts (and supporting information on violent crimes and expenditures) for all local units of government.

Changes to OJJDP's Juvenile Accountability ProgramBulletin, June 2003. Presents an overview of recent changes in OJJDP's juvenile accountability program as a result of the Department of Justice Authorization Act for FY 2003. 6 pages. NCJ 200220.Abstract

Developing a Policy for Controlled Substance Testing of JuvenilesBulletin: Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Series, June 2000. Presents an overview of the issues involved in developing and implementing a substance-testing program for juveniles. 12 pages. NCJ 178896.Abstract

Enhancing Prosecutors' Ability To Combat and Prevent Juvenile Crime in Their JurisdictionsBulletin: Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Series, December 1999. Features two of the three Juvenile Accountability Block Grants program purpose areas that focus on enhancing the ability of prosecutors to address juvenile crime. 20 pages. NCJ 178916.Abstract

Establishing and Maintaining Interagency Information SharingBulletin: Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Series, March 2000. Presents the necessary elements to develop and maintain an interagency information-sharing program to be used by representatives from juvenile courts, probation, social services, education, law enforcement, prosecution, and other juvenile justice partners who serve at-risk and delinquent youth. 16 pages. NCJ 178281.Abstract

Increasing School Safety Through Juvenile Accountability ProgramsBulletin: Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Series, December 2000. Describes activities in support of OJJDP's commitment to promote school safety by holding students accountable for their behavior. 16 pages. NCJ 179283. Abstract

Juvenile Accountability Block Grant Programs: 2008-2009 Report to CongressReport, March 2011, Presents data from local subgrantees on how their juvenile accountability programs performed during the 2008 and 2009 reporting periods. 25 pages. NCJ 231990.Abstract

Juvenile Accountability Block Grants Program (OJJDP In Focus)Fact Sheet: In Focus, October 2009. Provides an overview of OJJDP’s Juvenile Accountability Block Grants (JABG) program, which helps States and communities develop and implement programs that hold youth accountable for delinquent behavior through the imposition of graduated sanctions that are consistent with the severity of the offense. 4 pages. NCJ 226357.Abstract

An Overview of the JAIBG ProgramApril 2001. This fact sjeet provides an overview of OJJDP's Juvenile Accountability Incentive Block Grants program (JAIBG), including eligibility requirements, program focus areas, and the allocation of funds. 2 pages. NCJ 187529.Abstract